Gore unveils anti-global warming effort

August 10, 1998
Web posted at: 12:52 p.m. EDT (1652 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Noting that July had been the hottest month on record in the
United States, Vice President Al Gore on Monday called on Congress to pass a new
multi-million-dollar initiative to combat global warming.

That initiative, included in the 1999 budget currently before Congress, calls for
$6 billion to be spent over five years. Congress has not yet acted on the proposal.

The administration would like to see a package of tax incentives for companies to
adapt to new technologies that cut greenhouse gasses, which are believed to have
contributed to global warming. Other money would go into research.

Speaking Monday at a White House ceremony, Gore also announced that the
government was launching a jointly funded initiative through the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services to create eight
centers of excellence in children's environmental health research.

These centers will receive grants of between $1.2 million and $1.5 million dollars
each to carry out the necessary research to "protect our children," Gore said.

Gore announced a jointly funded initiative through the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services

The research was to delve into such areas as the causes of asthma and the effects
of exposure to pesticides.

The centers include the University of Southern California Medical School,
University of Michigan School of Public Health and Columbia University's School of
Public Health.

While scientists acknowledge that the high temperatures are the result of a
combination of factors, Gore said it was pretty obvious that "something is going
on" -- namely, global warming.

Gore said that due to the heat, smog has gotten worse, leading to more respiratory
problems for children.

"Today we have more evidence that global warming is real," Gore said. He said it
was time to overcome the attitude of denial and admit that global warming is
related to this summer's record temperatures and an increase in health and
environmental problems.